The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-27
THE OLDEST MAN ON EARTH.
Negro Who Is Said to he One Hundred and
Thirty-Five Years of Ago.

"A Negro w Is Salu TO he OuS hundred
Thirty-Five Years of Ago.
Laredo. Tex. letter in ST. Louis Globe Democrat
James James, negro and citizen of the
United States, who resides at Santa Rosa Mex
leo, is probably the Oldest earth. He
was born near Dorchester, S. c.. in 1852, and
while an infant was removed to Midway river
Ca, in the same year that Franklin brought
down electricity from the thunder clouds In
HIP there was quite an immigration IL to South
Carolina, and his master, James James from
whom he takes his namel moved near Charles
ton, S. g., in company with number of his
neghbors. On June 4, 1776. when twenty four
years of age. large British feet, under Sir
Peter Parker arrived off Charleston. The citi-
had erected a palmetto wood fort
Sullivan's island. with twensy-s guns.
manned by 500 troops, under Colonel Moultrie,
and on June % the British made an attack by
land and water, and were compelled to with
draw after ten hours conflict. 1t was during
this fight that Sergeant Jasper distinguished
himself by replacing the flag, which had been
shot away upon the bastion, a staff His
master, James James, manned one or the guns
in this fight and Jim, the subject OF this sketch.
and four other slaves were employed around the
fort g general laborers. Jim followed his mas
ter throughout the war, and was with General
Moultrie, at Port Royal. S. c.. Feb. 3. 1879.
when Moultrie defeated the combined British
forces of Provost and Campbell. His master
surrendered by General Lincoln at Charles
ton S c., on Feb. II, 1850. TO the British forces.
and this ends Jins military career.
He remembers of the rejoicings in 1892
throughout the country IN consequence of Wash
5
ing forty years of age In tins year his first
master died, age about sixty years. Jim then
became the property of ''Marse Henry" Henry
Jamesl owning large estates and about thirty
slaves, near Charleston. On account of having
raised .'Marse Henry Jim special favorite
with his master and allowed to do as he
chose. His second master. Henry, died in 1915,
about fifty-five years of age, and Jim, now sixty
three years of age became thepro0erty of James
James, Henry's second son. In 1888 the railroad
from Charleston to Savannah completed
then he longest railroad in the world, and Jim,
with his master took trip over the road and
was shown special favors on account of his age
now eighty-one. James James was ten years of
age his fathers death, and when ne be-
of age inerited large estates, slaves
ETC.. among whom were 'od Uncle
Jim" ard his family. James James lived in
South Carolina until 1885, when he moved TO
Texas with all his slaves. James desired that
his slaves should be free at his death. and in
1853 moved into Mexico, so that they could be
free before his death. James returned to the
United States and died in Texas, and in 1865
after there were no longer slaves in the United
States, Uncie Jim's children and grandchildren
returned to the United States. Five years ago.
at the age of $780, Jim could do light chores. but
subsisted mostly by contributions from the cit
zens, but for the past two years. not being able
jacal his wants being supplied by generous
neighbors The rheumatism in his legs prevents
him from walking. but yet he has sufficient
strength in his arms TO drag himself short
distance-ffty yards or more-and readily took